Hood catch



Nov. 7, 1933.

R. G. MOORE 1,934,137

HOOD CATCH Filed April 2, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l K) Q Q g 0 L; g g M W "E i' lll-rlllrln'l;l.'zlu AI 4 1 A mentor 76; mam 6/7002'5,

Gttorneg R. G. MOORE Nov. 7, 1933.

HOOD CATCH Filed April 2, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 attorney R. G. MOORE Nov. 7, 1933.

HOOD CATCH Filed April 2, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 BQ A Ihwentor 739 Y IO YD G/VOORL aw/m- Gttorneg Patented Nov. 7, 1933 UNETED STATES PATENT oFFics 15 Claims. (Cl. 292 47) he present invention relates to improvements in hood catches, particularly of the type having catch means interiorly and at each end of the hood, and which are adapted to be operated by a single exteriorly arranged operating handle disposed substantially centrally of the hood. In certain hood catches of this general type, her tofore in use, rock-shaft or holding rod was employed which given a torsional tension in the engaged position of the catch to produce the pressure to draw the hood tightiy closed,

n order to enable these catches to be manuaily operated the rock-shaft had to be sulficiently light and flexible as to permit it to be tensioned without eiiort.

Also any slight variation in the mounting of the brackets or in the rock-shaft itself, would result in very great differences in the pressure applied, with theresult that the hood was apt to be too tightly held at. one end' while 'it was loose at the other, or in some cases it would be either too tight or too loose at both end". Obviously such a structure is subject to vibration, rapid deterioration, and uncertainty and v ation in its functioning.

It is an object of the present invention to proa hood catch in which relatively rigid catch means is employed, so that such means may be made of any desired strength and thickness, and in which relatively uniform pressures will be maintained at both ends of the hood, and pressures will be approximately maintained the necessary poundage irrespective of varia tic-ns in the mounting of the parts. It is partieularly proposed in the illustrated exemplary s of the invention to provide spring ociated with the actuating means, and which under a predetermined pressure in the inoperative position of thecatch, this pressure being released as the catch is brought into op-- an undue expenditure of the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken alon the line 4- l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the hood and frame showing a modified form of catch in plan, the same being in its operative position and intermediate portions of the hood and rock shafts being broken away.

Fig. 6 is an interior elevation, also in opera-, tive positiomand showing the inoperative position in dotted lines. i

' Fig. '7 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line '7,'7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of. the mounting bracket employed.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view through the hood and frame, showing another modified form of catch in plan, the same being in its operative position and intermediate portions of the hood and rock-shaft being broken away.

Fig. 10 is an interior elevation, also in operative position, and showing the inoperative posi-' tion in doted lines. 7

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional View, taken along the line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional View, showing a still further modified form of catch.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4 thereof, in which I have shown one exemplary embodiment of my invention, the automobile hood 10 is adapted to close in the usual manner against the lacings 11 and 12 of the radiator frame 13 and cowl portion 14 of the chassis.

Upon the inner face'of the hood, and preferably at a central point between the hood ends, there is riveted or otherwise suitably secured a, bracket plate 15 having an outwardly flanged bearing aperture 16 in axial alignment with and having its flange engaged in a slightly larger aperture 17 in the hood.

The handle 18 is provided with .a reduced diameter shank portion 19, which is engaged in said aperture 16 with a rotary and slightly loose fit, and has a reduced and threaded extension 20 at its inner end. Flats 21-2l are provided upon the shank adjacent the threaded extension 20,.and a crank arm 22 isengaged upon this flattened portion of the shank, being provided ico with a non-circular opening 23 adapted to fit snugly thereon, and being secured by a nut 24. The slightly loose fit of the handle shank in its bearing permits a slight tilting of the crank arm for the purpose of detenting in the operative position, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

The crank arm is bent outwardly from the bracket plate to provide an offset operating end which is domed up and has an aperture 25 therein, in which is swivelly engaged the headed stud 26 of a movement translating bracket member 27, hereinafter more fully referred to. It should be here pointed out that in the operative position the spring means exerts a downward pressure on the bracket member, drawing the crank arm into a tilted position, with the offset end pulled away from the bracket and the other end pressed tightly against the bracket plate, and this action is utilized to detent the crank arm, and thus hold the parts in operative position, as will presently more fully appear.

The bracket plate 15 is provided with a pair of pressed out stop bosses 28 and 29, against which the end of the crank arm 22 abuts in its respective operative and inoperative positions, being arranged so that the operating handle is limited to a definite swing of 90, the upper limit of this swing being such that the arm is in a central vertical or dead center position, and the lower limit being in a horizontal line at right angles thereto. An arcuate rib 30 is pressed up from the plate, extending from 'a point contiguous to the boss 29 to a point spaced from the boss 28, to provide a detent pocket into which the end of the crank drops in the operative position under the pressure exerted by the downward pull of the bracket member 27.

The end of the rib is slightly beveled, as at 31, so that in releasing the crank arm to permit it to swing to inoperative position the end of the crank arm may be forced out of the detent pocket onto the rib surface. In this position the crank arm frictionally engages the rib surface under slight compression, suficient to retain the latch parts in inoperative position and against looseness and rattling.

A pair of rock-shafts 32 and 33 are provided upon the interior of the hood extending at each side of the bracket plate. 15, being journaled near their inner ends in bearing brackets 34 and 35, preferably curled from the bracket plate 15, and journaled near their outer ends in bearing brackets 36 and 37, secured interiorly to the ,hood. The rock shafts are bent at their inner end extremities to provide offset crank ends 38 and 39, preferably disposed parallel to the rockshafts, and at their outer extremities are bent outwardly and longitudinally to provide offset crank ends 40 and 41, also disposed parallel to the rock-shafts, the offset of these crank ends 40 and 41 being relatively greater than that of the crank ends 38 and 39 and also being angularly offset with respect to said crank ends 38 and 39.

The crank ends 38 and 39 are loosely engaged in the socket ends 42 and 43 of a coupling member 44, to which the movement translating and actuating means is connected, as will presently more fully appear. The crank ends 40 and 41 are adapted to engage angular keeper brackets 46 and 41 suitably mounted on the radiator and cowl, or upon any other convenient part of the chassis, in proximity to the hood ends. These brackets are illustrated as formed of sheet metal, and their engaging faces, which are preferably disposed at an angle of about 45, are respectively provided with pressed cut rounded ribs 40 and al providing positive firm engagement, irrespective of variations in the mounting and disposition of the parts.

The bracket member 2'7 is of generally rectangul r shape, its upper and lower ends bein in opposed parallel relation to each other and respectively provided with aligned apertures 545 and 4646, in which are slidingly engaged the legs of a U-shaped yoke member 4'7, the lower end of which is bent toward the hood and pivotally connected to the coupling memher by means of a cross-pin e8 secured Within a socket in said member, on which the yoke end is disposed. The socket 49 is arranged to permit swinging movement of the yoke inemher and there is also sufficient clearance between the yoke and the side walls of the socket, as shown in Fig. 4, to permit the coupling 11"1- ber to swing to a limited extent longitudinally. An apertured cross-b r 50 provided'upon the yoke member at a point below its upper end and Within the bracket member 2'? and is held against upward movement on the yoke by means of horseshoe washers 5l-51 engaged in slots 52-52 in the legs of the yoke, and between this cross bar and the lower end of the bracket helical expansion springs 53-53 are provided on the legs of the yoke, and exert an upward pressure thereon.

In the inoperative or disengaged position of the catch the springs are under an initial predetermined compression exerted against the ends of the bracket member 27, the cross bar 50 abutting the upper end, as shown in dotte. lines in Fig. 2, while in the operative position the bracket is lifted, disengaging its upper end from the cross-bar, and releasing the spring pressure to the catch so that the springs further compressed and their pressure is exerted as a lifting force on the yoke, which through its connection with the rock shafts applies pressure to the keeper engaging crank ends 40 and 41.

ihe operation is as follows:

Swinging of the handle 18 from the inoperative position to the operative position rotates the crank arm 22 and through the yoke member and coupling member rotates the ro- L": shafts and brings the crank ends 40 and 41 into engagement with the keeper brackets. In. the disclosed embodiment the rock-shafts are rotated and due to the fact that the crank a m 22 i E crank arm 22 is rotated less than 98 to brin the crank ends 40 and 41 into contact with tkeeper brackets. Up to this point .cracke 2'7, yoke member i7 and springs 53-53 move as a solid member. As further movement of the rock-shafts is prevented the remainder of 96 movement of the crank arm 22 is ut ise. to raise the bracket 27 upon the yoke against the pressure of the springs. As soon as the upper end of the bracket is disengaged from the cross bar 50 the springs exert lifting pressure on the yoke, and this pressure is applied to the rock-shafts, the crank ends 40 and il gaging the keeper brackets under this s ring pressure.

In the event that any irregularity in the hood or in the mounting of the keeper kets, or in the independently formed rock she. causes one of the crank ends to be engaged before the other the loose connections of the rock shafts with the coupling member 44 is such that the pressure of the springs will not begin to be exerted until the other crank end engages its keeper bracket, whereupon the pressure of the springs will be applied equally to the two crank ends irrespective of such irregularity, and the hood will be held with the same pressure at one end as at the other. The coupling member thus functions as an equalizer between the two rock-shafts.

In Figs. 5 to 8 I have illustrated a modification in which cam means is employed for actuating the catch. A bracket plate 60 is riveted or otherwise suitably secured upon the inner face of the hood, and is provided with an outwardly flanged bearing aperture 61, engaged in the hood aperture 17 in a similar manner to the first embodiment, the handle shank 19 of the handle 18 being rotatably journaled therein.

At the side edges of the bracket plate 56 there are provided vertically disposed parallel guide flanges 62-62 between which a vertically movable slide member 63 is mounted on the plate,

a centrally disposed vertical slot 64 being provided therein through which the handle shank 19 extends. Opposed parallel flanges 65 and 66 are bent inwardly from the upper and lower edges of the slide, the upper flange having a 30 fully referred to.

The handle shank 19 is provided in a similar manner to the first embodiment with a threaded extension 20 and flats 2l21, and upon this extension a cam member 69 is secured by means of the nut 24, the cam member having a noncircular aperture 79 for non-rotatable engagement with the shank. This cam member is adapted upon being rotated by the handle to impart vertical reciprocating movement to the slide, and for this purpose the slide is provided adjacent its upper flange 65 and centrally with an outwardly bent vertically disposed cam engaging lug 71, which is engaged by an eccentric lifting cam surface 72 of the cam 69. At each end of this surface 72 there are provided projecting abutment portions '73 and 74, which limit the cam to a movement of 90 between the operative and inoperative positions, a detent pocket 75 being provided adjacent the abutment '73 in which the slide is detented in the operative position.

The cam is provided in opposed relation to the lifting cam surface 72 with an eccentric lowering cam surface 76 which moves in a slot '7"! in the lower flange 66 of the slide, bearing against the end of the slot as the cam is rotated to inoperative position to lower the slide. In the operative position the end of the slot 7'7 is slightly spaced from the cam surface 76, as shown in Fig. 6, to permit the detenting movement of the slide. The flange 66 is ribbed, as at '78, so as to stiffen and reinforce it against bending.

The yoke member 79 is of generally U-shape and has its side leg portions slidably engaged in the slots 6868 and apertures 67-437 of the slide member, the lower end having a contracted extension 80 connected to the coupling member 44 by means of the cross pin 48 in a substantially similar manner to the first embodiment. The

plate 10v is provided at its lower corner with bearings 81 and 82 similar in arrangement to the bearings 34 and 35 of the first embodiment, and in which the inner ends of the rock shafts 32 and 33 are journaled.

An apertured cross-bar 83 is provided upon the yoke memberat a point below the upper flange 65 of the slide, and is held against upward movement on the yoke by means of horseshoe washers 84-84 engaged in slots 85-85 in the legs of the yoke, and between this crossbar and thelower flange 66 of the slide helical expansion springs 8686 are provided on the legs of the yoke, friction washers 878'7 being interposed between the spring ends and said lower flange 66. In the inoperative position, as

shown in dotted lines, the cross-bar 83 abuts the upper flange 65 and thesprings are under an initial predetermined tension, in a substantially similar manner to the first embodiment.

Theoperation is as follows:

Partial swinging of the handle 18 from the inoperative position, shown in dotted lines, toward the operative position, shown in full lines, rotates the cam 69, causing the slide 63, yoke 79, and springs 8686 to move upwardly as a unit, and through the connection with the coupling member rotates the rock shafts 32 and 33 to bring the crank ends 40 and 41 into engagement with the keeper brackets, in a substantially similar manner to the first embodiment. The elongated slots 6868, and the loose engagement of the yoke legs in the apertures 67-67 permits the yoke to swing transversely of the slide, so as to accommodate itself to the swinging arc of the crank ends 38 and 39. As the movement of the handle and cam is continued to the operative position the slide is lifted relatively to the yoke and the spring pressure is thereupon applied to the rock-shaft in a substantially similar manner to thefirst embodiment. The parts are retainedin operative position through the detenting of the lug 71 in the pocket '75 under the pressure of the springs. To disengage the catch the handle is turned in the opposite direction, being first turned with suflicient initial force to overcome the detenting pressure, and being then swung to a point where the lug '71 abuts the cam projection 74, the cam'surface 76 pressing'the slide downwardly during this movement and through its connection with the coupling member44 and rock shafts-32 and 33 rotating the crank ends 40 and 41 into inoperative position.

In Figs. 9 to 11 I have shown a further modification in which the latching means is in the form of a rigid vertically shiftable bar. The bracket plate 15* is similar to that of the embodiment shown inrFigs. 1 to 4, but is'somewhat longer in its vertical dimension, and along one edge there is bent outwardly therefrom a guide'fiange 90 having a vertical slot 91 therein,

while at the other edge a pair of ears 92 and 93are bent outwardly and have riveted thereto a guide plate 94 similar to the flange 90, and having a vertical slot 95 therein. This plate 94 is separately formed from the bracket plate to facilitate assembly of the latch bar, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

The latch bar 96 is preferably formed of flat stock, and is engaged at its intermediate portion in the slots 91 and 95 being bent outwardly intoofi'set relation between the guide flange 90 and the guide plate 94, as at 97, to position and retain it against longitudinal displacement. The outer ends of the bar are guided in brackets 98 and 99 riveted to the hood, and adjacent these brackets the extremities of the bar are bent to form angularly disposed keeper engaging ends 100 and .101, adapted to engage with angular keeper brackets 102 and 103 secured to the radiator frame and cowl.

Upon the intermediate portion. 97 a pocket member 104 is riveted, and within its tapered pocket there is provided a cross-pin 105 engaged by the lower end of the yoke member 47 in a substantially similar manner ,to the first embodiment. The taper of the pocket is such as to permit swinging of the yoke member, as shown in dotted lines, and at the same time provides a bearing surface to receive downward pressure of the yoke member during movement to inoperative position. The slot 91 of the flange 90 is provided at its upper end with an enlargement 106 through which theangularly disposed keeper engaging end 101 may be passed in assembling the catch. The operation is substantially the same as the first embodiment, partial movement of the operatinghandle from the inoperative to the operative position drawing the bar 96 upwardly to engage the ends 100 and 101 with the keeper brackets, and the further movement moving the bracket member 27 relatively to the yoke 47 and thereby applying spring pressure to the bar.

In Fig. 12 I have shown still another modification in which the latch bar 96 is adapted to be actuated by a cam actuated slide 63 and yoke 79, similar to the actuating means shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8.

According to present approved automotive practice and requirements the tension deemed necessary and desirable to hold a hood securely in place is calculated at between 30 and 15 pounds at each corner of the hood. With the previously known type of hood catch employing a torsional rock shaft holding rod having crank ends engaging keeper brackets at the ends of the hood, and actuated by an intermediate operating handle to twist and tension the rod, the rod is usually made from inch diameter spring wire, and on a hood measuring about 32 or 33 inches, and where the rod has an overall length of about 30 inches, this size wire will exert 7, approximately 30 pounds pressure on each bracket when the parts are all properly placed and in perfect adjustment. This pressure is usually obtained by about a 20 degree twist of the rod, and where the keeper engaging cranks are-oi" 1% inch length, this measurement being the specified standard at present, this 20degree twist is equal to a inch action at the end of the crank. Assuming that this {einch deflection gives the desired 30 pounds pressure, then for every inch deflection a pressure of 4%} pounds is exerted, and therefore, for every inch variation between the crank and bracket there is approximately 4% pounds variation in pressure, with a proportionate increase in the manual eifortrequired to operate the catch. Also the pressure varies according to the length of the holding rod, and in cases where the operating handle is not centralized so that a longer portion of the rod is at one side than at the other, an uneven pressure is exerted at each 'end of the hood.

In the present invention the springs are assembled under a heavy initial pressure, substantially equal to that required'to hold the hood. While the following figures are merely given as an example and are in no way restrictive of the invention, they will serve for comparison with the above figures. Assuming that with the leverages that are used to operate the catch it requires two springs of pounds each at the intermediate part of the catch to give 30 pounds pressure at each end. With a leverage of approximately two to one the springs have a working travel of J inch. The initial tension on the springs will be about 50 pounds each, so it is seen that as soon as the keeper engaging crank ends engage the keepers and the movement of the actuating handle is continued tomove the springs away from the restraining end of the bracket (27 in Figs. 1 to 4, in Figs. 5 to 8) a pressure of approximately 25 pounds is exerted to press each crank end into engagement with its keeper bracket. This leaves 5 pounds to be distributed over a inch travel to give the total of 30 pounds. Therefore for every inch travel there is only a /7 pound variation, as compared to the 4 pounds variation with the type of catch above referred to. This means that a variation in the height of a bracket plus or minus as much as 2; inch would be hardly noticeable in the eiTort required to operate the catch or in the pressure applied at the hood ends.

It will be obvious that the tension may be readily changed simply by employing different strength springs, and this can be done quickly and without any change in the construction or arrang lent of the catch. Also it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the use i two springs, out one spring or any desired number may be employed.

I have illustrated and described a preferred and satisfactory embodiment of the invention but it will be obvious that changes may be made therein, Within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure Letters Patent is:

1. A hood catch actuator for operating keeper engaging catch means, comprising manually operable actuating means for moving said catch means into engagement with the keeper, spring means interposed between the keeper and said actuating means having an initial predetermined tension in the disengaged position of said catch means, and means for receiving the initial pressure of spring means adapted to be operatively disassociated from said spring means in the engaged position of said catch means with the keeper, whereby pressure of said spring means is appli d to press said catch means against the keeper.

2. A hood catch actuator for operating keeper engaging catch means, comprising manually operable actuating means for moving said catch means into engagement with the keeper, spring means interposed between the keeper and said actuating means having an initial predetermined tension in the disengaged position of said catch means, and means for r ceiving the initial pressure of said spring means adapted to be operatively disassociated from spring means through abutment of said catch means with the keeper and continued movement of said actuating means against the resistance of said abutment, whereby pressure of said spring means is applied to press said catch means against the keeper.

3. A hood catch actuator for operating keeper engaging catch means, comprising manually operable actuating means for moving said'catch means into engagement with the keeper, spring means interposed between the keeper and said actuating means having an initial predetermined tension in the disengagedposition of said. catch means, and means for receiving the initial pressure of said spring means adapted to be operatively disassociated from said spring means in the engaged posi ion or" said catch means with the keeper, whereby pressure of said spring means is applied to press said catch means against the keeper, said initial tension being approximately equal to the tension in the engaged position or" the catch means.

l. A hood catch actuat r for operating keeper engaging catch means, comprising manually operable actuating means rotatable about an transverse to the hood for moving said catch means into engagement with the keeper, spring means interposed between the keeper and said actuating means having an initial predetermined tension in thedisengaged position of said catch means, and means for receiving the initial pressure of said spring means adapted to be operatively disassociated from said spring means in the engaged position of said catch means with the keeper, whereby pressure of said spring means applied to press said catch means against the keeper.

5. A hood catch actuator for operating keeper engaging catch means, comprising manually operable actuating means including a crank disposed interiorly of the hood for moving said catch means into engagement with the keeper, spring means interposed between the keeper and said actuating means having an initial predetermined tension in the disengaged position of said catch means, and means for receiving the initial pressure or" said spring means adapted to be operatively disassociated from saidspring means in the engaged position of said catch means with the keeper, whereby pressure of said spring means is applied to press said catch means against the keeper.

6. A hood catch actuator for operating keeper engaging catch means, comprising manually operable actuating means including a cam disposed interiorly of the hood for moving said catch means into engagement with the keeper, spring means int rposed between the keeper and said actuating means having an initial predetermined tension in the disengaged position of aid catch means, and means for receiving the 'nitial pressure of said spring means adapted to be operatively disassociated from said spring means in the engaged position of said catch means with the keeper, whereby pressure of said spring means is applied to press said catch means against the keeper.

'2. A hood catch actuator for operating keeper engaging catch means, comprising rock-shaft catch carrying means disposed interiorly of the hood, manually operable actuating means for moving rock shaft catch carrying means into engagement with the keeper, spring means interposed between the keeper and actuating means having an initial predetermined tension in the disengaged position of said catch means, and means for receiving the initial pressure of i said spring means adapted to be operatively disassociated from said spring means in the engaged position of said catch means with the keeper, whereby pressure of said spring means is applied to press said catch means against the keeper.

8. A hood catch actuator for operating keeper engaging catch means, comprising slide bar catch carrying means disposed interiorly of the hood, manually operable actuating means for moving said slide-bar'catch carrying'means into engagement with the keeper, spring means interposed between the keeper and said actuating means having an initial predetermined tension in the disengaged position of said catch means, and means for receiving the initial pressure of said spring means adapted tobe operatively disassoc'iated from said spring means in the engaged position of said catch means with the keeper, whereby pressure of said spring means applied to press said catch means against the keeper.

9. A hood catch actuator for operating keeper engaging catch means, comprising manually operable actuating means for moving said catch means into engagement with the keeper, spring means interposed between the keeper and said actuating means having an initial predetermined tension in the disengaged'position of said catch means, and means for r ceiving the initial pressure of said spring means adapted to be operatively disassociated from said spring means in the engaged position of said catch means with the keeper, whereby pressure of said spring means is applied to press said catch means against the keeper and means for yieldably retaining said catch means in operative position.

10. A hood catch actuator for operating keeper engaging catch means, comprising manually operable actuating means for moving said catch means into engagement with the keeper, spring means interposed between the keeper and said actuating means having an initial predetermined tension in the disengaged position of said catch means, and means for receiving the initial pressure of said spring means adapted to be operatively disassooiated from said spring means in the engaged position or" said catch means with the keeper, whexby pressure of said spring means is applied to press said catch means against the keeper and means for yieldably retaining said catch means in operative position under pressure of said spring means.

11. A hood catch actuator for operating keeper engaging catch means, comprising manually operable actuating means for moving said catch means into engagement with the keeper, spring means interposed between the keeper and said actuating means having an initial predetermined tension in the disengaged position of said catch means, and restraining means for receiving the initial tension of said spring means independently of said actuating means and catch means in the disengaged position of said catch means, said restraining means adapted to be operatively disassociated from said spring means through abutmerit of said catch means with the keeper and continued movement of said actuating means against the resistance of said abutment, whereby pressure of said spring means is applied to press said catch means against the keeper.

12. A hood catch actuator for operating keep er engaging catch means, comprising manually operable actuating means, movement translatmeans between said actuating means and said catch means comprising a pair of relatively movable members respectively connected to said actuating means and said catch means, stop means adapted to limit their relative movement in one direction, spring means acting between said members normally adapted to press them in said one direction and through engagement of said stop means to be maintained at a predetermined initial tension, said actuating means adapted through said movement translating means to move said catch means into engagement with the keeper and through further movement to move said relatively movable members, relatively to each other to disengage said stop means, whereby pressure of said spring means is applied to press said catch means against the keeper.

13. A hood catch actuator for operating keeper engagingcatch means, comprising manually operable actuating means, movement translating means between said actuating means and said catch means comprising a pair of relatively movable members respectively connected to said actuating means and said catch means, stop means adapted to limit their relative movement in one direction, spring means acting between said members normally adapted to press them in said one direction and through engagement of said stop means to be maintained at a predetermined initial tension, said actuating means adapted through said movement translating means to move said catch means into engagement with the keeper and through further movement to move said relatively movable members relatively to each other to disengage said stop means, whereby pressure of said spring means is applied between said catch means and said actuating means, and means for yieldably retaining said catch means in operative position under said spring pressure.

14. A hood catch actuator for operating keeper engaging catch means, comprising manually operable actuating means including a crank, a movement translating link between said actuating means and said catch means comprising a pair of relatively movable members respectively connected to said actuating means and said catch means, stop means adapted to limit their relative movement in one direction, spring means acting between said members normally adapted to press them in said one direction and through engagement of said stop means to be maintained at a predetermined initial tension, said actuating means adapted through said movement translating link to move said catch means into engagement with the keeper and through further movement to move said relatively movable members relatively to each other to disengage said stop means, whereby pressure of said spring means is applied to press said catch means against the keeper.

15. A hood catch actuator for operating keeper engaging catch means, comprising manually operable actuating means, a movement translating slide between said actuating means and said catch means comprising a pair of relatively movable members respectively connected to said actuating means and said catch means, stop means adapted to limit their relative movement in one direction, spring means acting between said members normally adapted to press them in said one direction and through engagement of said stop means to be maintained at a pre determined initial tension, said actuating means adapted through said movement translating slide to move said catch means into engage ment with the keeper and through further movement to move said relatively movable members relatively to each other to disengage said stop means whereby pressure of said spring means is applied to press said catch means against said keeper means.

RAYMOND G. MOORE. 

